Australian John Senden (42) and Argentine Angel Cabrera (44) are the only two crusty veterans to claim victory this season.

Pay Attention: It’s FREE!

TPC Deere Run became the exclusive home to the JDC in 2000. That’s a very solid history base for gamers.

Only Steve Stricker has defended his title at TPC Deere Run. He’s does it twice as he won three straight from 2009-2011.

For the second week in a row, the TOUR makes a stop on a course that has hosted a 59. TPC Deere Run saw Paul Goydos hit the magic number in 2010. Last week, the Old White TPC reminded us of Stuart Appleby’s 59 to win in 2010.

Former TOUR Commissioner Deane Bemen won the first two editions of the JDC.

Inside the Ropes

As you can see above, the winning scores around this joint look like the forecast in early winter in Alaska. Birdies and bogey-avoidance are clearly the recipe for success. Steve Stricker made 31 birdies here in 2010 to set the tournament record and win by two over “Mr. 59” Paul Goydos. Daniel Summerhays made 27 of them last year yet finished T4 as he missed out on a three-man playoff. The highest winning score since the move in 2000 is 16-under. Last year was the first year in five years that the winning score dropped below 20-under.

With greens averaging 8,000 square feet, EVERYONE should be on in regulation so this means it’s time for a putting contest! The last three winners here, Stricker, Johnson and Spieth are all classified as excellent putters and short-game wedge players. There’s no wonder why they own the last five titles!

As we have seen over the years, ball-strikers can also succeed around here as Vijay Singh, Sean O’Hair have shown with wins and J.J. Henry, Chad Campbell and Lucas Glover proved to us last year with T15 or better finishes. Ball-strikers always have a chance because their strength is hitting it as close as possible as often as possible so don’t write them off.

The most successful this week will make the most birdies and avoid the most bogeys. Stricker made four bogeys in 2009, five in 2010 (three in the final round!) and three (plus a double) in 2011. Zach Johnson made 24 birdies to just five bogeys yet won his playoff with a double bogey! Jordan Spieth made five birdies on his last six holes last year to make the playoff. He circled 25 birdies against six bogeys last year. Players only have three par-five holes to play catch-up and any par-or-worse on those holes will take two birdies just to catch back up.

If you are fan of scoring, this is the week for you. If you are a fan of out and out chalk, Stricker, Johnson and Spieth should make for an interesting weekend. As we have seen with most birdie-fests, hang on to your hat because just about everyone in the field will have a chance!

Australian John Senden (42) and Argentine Angel Cabrera (44) are the only two crusty veterans to claim victory this season.

Pay Attention: It’s FREE!

TPC Deere Run became the exclusive home to the JDC in 2000. That’s a very solid history base for gamers.

Only Steve Stricker has defended his title at TPC Deere Run. He’s does it twice as he won three straight from 2009-2011.

For the second week in a row, the TOUR makes a stop on a course that has hosted a 59. TPC Deere Run saw Paul Goydos hit the magic number in 2010. Last week, the Old White TPC reminded us of Stuart Appleby’s 59 to win in 2010.

Former TOUR Commissioner Deane Bemen won the first two editions of the JDC.

Inside the Ropes

As you can see above, the winning scores around this joint look like the forecast in early winter in Alaska. Birdies and bogey-avoidance are clearly the recipe for success. Steve Stricker made 31 birdies here in 2010 to set the tournament record and win by two over “Mr. 59” Paul Goydos. Daniel Summerhays made 27 of them last year yet finished T4 as he missed out on a three-man playoff. The highest winning score since the move in 2000 is 16-under. Last year was the first year in five years that the winning score dropped below 20-under.

With greens averaging 8,000 square feet, EVERYONE should be on in regulation so this means it’s time for a putting contest! The last three winners here, Stricker, Johnson and Spieth are all classified as excellent putters and short-game wedge players. There’s no wonder why they own the last five titles!

As we have seen over the years, ball-strikers can also succeed around here as Vijay Singh, Sean O’Hair have shown with wins and J.J. Henry, Chad Campbell and Lucas Glover proved to us last year with T15 or better finishes. Ball-strikers always have a chance because their strength is hitting it as close as possible as often as possible so don’t write them off.

The most successful this week will make the most birdies and avoid the most bogeys. Stricker made four bogeys in 2009, five in 2010 (three in the final round!) and three (plus a double) in 2011. Zach Johnson made 24 birdies to just five bogeys yet won his playoff with a double bogey! Jordan Spieth made five birdies on his last six holes last year to make the playoff. He circled 25 birdies against six bogeys last year. Players only have three par-five holes to play catch-up and any par-or-worse on those holes will take two birdies just to catch back up.

If you are fan of scoring, this is the week for you. If you are a fan of out and out chalk, Stricker, Johnson and Spieth should make for an interesting weekend. As we have seen with most birdie-fests, hang on to your hat because just about everyone in the field will have a chance!

Call to Order

Here they are, ranked for your pleasure.

Yahoo! group in ( )

Steve Stricker (B): I wonder one day if they rename this tournament the Steve Stricker Invitational. This would be a perfect spot for the Midwestern, down-to-earth player who dominated on this layout, to be honored. Why? Well he finished T10 last year, T5 in 2012 and won the three years before that. I don’t even need to bring up his T4 in 2004. Or his T7 from 1997. His last 20 round have resulted in 19 under par.

Jordan Spieth (B): The breakthrough came after holing a stunning bunker shot for a birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff. If that ball doesn’t hit the flag and drop, it’s on its way down the river to New Orleans. Spieth instead won the playoff and was on his way to the FedExCup Playoffs, President’s Cup and a two-year exemption on TOUR. Since his T4 at THE PLAYERS, he hasn’t cracked the top 10 in five starts but four of them are T19 or better.

Zach Johnson (B): If there is anywhere he’s going to break out it’s going to be the tournament where he sits on the board of directors. His last five starts at JDC aren’t as good as Stricker’s but they’re pretty freaking good. He was P2 last year, a winner in 2012, T3 in 2011, T21 in 2010 and T2 in 2009. Go ahead and make it TWENTY rounds in a row in the 60s! That’s insane and gamers just can’t expect that to continue. Especially from a guy who hasn’t had TWO rounds in the 60s in the same tournament since Honda in early March.

Kevin Na (C): He had his worst finish of the year last week but didn’t shoot over 71; He enters the week 11th adjusted scoring because he DESTROYS par fours and fives and can really roll the rock.

Chris Stroud (C): He bounced back into the top 10 last week at Greenbrier with T4 and makes tons of birdies because of his putter and short game. He sits 24th in birdie-or-better (BOB) conversion and 10th in birdie average. #tweettweet

John Senden (C): The 2006 champ has finishes T12 in 2010, T4 in 2012 interspersed with a few MCs. The John Senden of even last year doesn’t hold a candle to what the Aussie is doing in 2014. He’s 10th in the all-around because of his ball-striking AND excellent putter.

Harris English (C): After a VERY quiet spring and early summer for gamers, English finally returned to the top 10 with T7 at TPC River Highlands last time out. If he’s ninth in birdie average ninth in adjusted scoring and eighth in par-breakers, I’m not hopping of this week! In his first trip last summer he put all four rounds at 69 to finish T15.

Chris Kirk (B): He ran out of gas in the final round last year with 72 after beginning the final round at 14-under. In the midst of a career-year in 2014 gamers should love him this week because kills par fours and fives. If his putter sharpens up he could be the one to beat.

Billy Hurley III (C): In 2012 he began Sunday T5 just two shots out of first and fired 70 to finish T8. He was the 54-hole leader by two shots last weekend before fading to T4. He’s coming off back-to-back top 10s (T8, T4) and has made seven cuts on the bounce. He’s going to hit every fairway and plenty of greens so he’ll have another chance to continue his solid play again this week.

Ryan Moore (A): His first start of the summer saw him bounce back into the top 10 for the first time since WMPO at the Travelers. His two best finishes in 2014 have been on TPC courses (T6, WMPO; T4, Travelers) because he has no problem pasting fairways and he’s an excellent putter. He destroys par fours and has finished T8 and T22 in his the last two years at JDC at 27-under.

Cameron Tringale (B): Last week I pleaded that he throw gamers a bone and he sure did with T4 at The Greenbrier. He was T9 three years ago at JDC in his last start so his course history meets current form and that means FANTASY DISASTER. I’m guessing with his trip booked to Hoylake that he either: withdraws or takes it deep this weekend. He’s 21 for 26 in 2014 and played the last five weekends on TOUR. Tringale WD Monday afternoon.

Kevin Streelman (B): He awoke from his slumber with a stellar 64-64 to close out his victory at the Travelers. Cabrera used 64-64 last week to win at Greenbrier and it wouldn’t surprise me if that was needed again this week. He’s 11th in par-four BOB and is worth a look in this thin field.

Bud Cauley (C): I’m going to connect some dots here. His three best finishes this season are on TPC courses (T11, Louisiana; T11, River Highlands; T4 Old White) where he’s a combined 31-under. That might be the number to post to win this week! He’s made over half of his money this year in his last three events so I’m going to play the hot hand along with the trend. He’ll be a steal again this week in the GC game in Group 4.

Just Missed

Daniel Summerhays: The 54-hole leader last year on 19-under, Summerhays missed a par putt on the final hole that would have put him in a playoff with Spieth, Johnson and Hearn. He followed that performance up the following week with a playoff loss to Woody Austin at Sanderson Farms. He made 27 birdies, including a third round 62, to finish T4.

Scott Langley: Another Illinois native (Barrington) who played at Illinois, Langley is making his third start at JDC. Coming off T11 and T26 in his last two starts, the lefty is flashing some form. In his last eight rounds, he has nothing over 71.

David Hearn: He’ll be looked over this week because of his closing 76 last Sunday that took him from T12 to T64. I remember that it was his tournament in a month so I’ll chalk it up to knocking off the rust. Over the last two years, four of his last five rounds have been 66 or better. #allaboard

Brendon de Jonge: He’s made nine cuts on the bounce and before his T54 here last year was T19, T7 and T7 in his previous three at JDC. I’m nervous this week because this tournament is in Illinois which doesn’t fit his regional playing this year. His best finishes are all in North Carolina/Virginia, but NOT West Virginia. It’s hard in such a soft field to ignore a guy who’s made 19 weekends from 24 this year.

Patrick Rodgers: After finishing T15 here last year as an amateur, he should be raring to go this week. He’s three-for-three since turning pro after the NCAA championships and will be looking to pull a “Jordan Spieth” this season. He has the talent to do so and is worth a look in a slim field this week as he’s played five of six rounds here in the 60s.

Hudson Swafford: The rookie is navigating the waters of the big boy TOUR and has finally made three cuts in a row after his T52 at The Greenbrier last week. Gamers will remind me that he was T12 heading into Sunday before 74 wiped him out of contention. No birdies on Sunday ever helps and that is his second week in a row of 74 to close. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt as he’s in uncharted territory and has excellent pedigree. This is the type of tournaments that youngsters believe they can win because of the light field.

Russell Henley: In his first TOUR event EVER, he was 24-under at the Sony Open and won. Since his T7 at SHO, he’s only made three of his last eight cuts but I’ll take my chances on a guy who can get white hot with the putter.

Will Wilcox: It’s hard not to like a guy who has shot a 59 before on a course where a guy has shot 59 before. Last week, he was T4 at Greenbrier, home of Stuart Appleby’s 59. Now, he tries to emulate Paul Goydos this week at the JDC.

Chad Campbell: He’s six for his last six at JDC with zero rounds above par and only five rounds in the 70s. His best finishes are T15 twice and T7. He had made four cuts in a row before missing by one last week at the Greenbrier.

Jason Bohn: I love him in a birdie-fest. His best results are always on big-time, under-par tracks. This qualifies. Shhhhhhhhhhhh.

Long Shots/Sleepers/Course Horses

Morgan Hoffmann: The one thing I’ve learned about the up-and-comers is consistency is about the last thing that comes along in their games. After five top 35s in eight starts, Hoffmann has made two of his last five with finishes of T67 and T71. I’ll take a flier on a kid who fired 63-64 Friday and Saturday here last year en route to T15.

Scott Brown: He’s two-for-two in his only two trips with solo seventh in 2012 and T22 last year. He opened with 70 in 2012 and 71 last year so do the math.

J.J. Henry: He’s played the weekend the last five years and was T7 last year, T13 in 2012 and T5 in 2009. He and Chad Campbell are the proof that veteran ball-strikers can navigate this track. He’s made eight of his last 10 cuts on TOUR but only one went for better than T39 (T13, FESJC).

Tim Clark: He’s put 15 of 16 career rounds under par on this track and has solo second, T7 and T18 to show for it. He was T36 his last time out in 2012.

Troy Matteson: This will be his ninth consecutive start at the JDC. He’s made six of the last eight weekends including P2 to Zach Johnson in 2012 where he opened with 61. He also was T3 in 2007 and T10 in 2010. Hell, in 2008 he shot 77-64 to MC! High risk equals even higher reward!

Lucas Glover: After doing absolutely nothing last year leading up to the JDC he showed up and opened 68-62 and eventually finished T15. I’d take a T15 in any format right now so I won’t completely dismiss him.

Luke Guthrie: The Quincy, Ill., native has essentially a home game this week in the Quad Cities. After opening with 65 and closing with 64 in his first attempt in 2012 for T5, he MC last year with 76-67. In six rounds four have been 68 or lower. In a thin field, that’s an angle.

Retief Goosen: He’s made nine cuts on the bounce and can really putt. If you need a guy to make a cut this week in deeper formats, here’s your guy. Just remember HE HAS NO CHANCE OF WINNING so remember that as well.

Davis Love III: He showed signs of life last week with an opening 67 and Saturday 65 and this is an easier course. He knows he needs a W to play at Hoylake.

Steve Marino: He hit is conditional status by $174 last week at Greenbrier with T11. He closed with 66-67. He should be full of confidence and relief. That’s a powerful combination.

Troy Merritt: The Osage, Iowa native also is playing a home game this week. After his solo second at FESJC he racked up T16 last week at Greenbrier with 68-67 weekend for his second very solid start in four tries.

Sang-moon Bae: An excellent putter who closed 66-67 last week for T16.

David Lingmerth: He carded all four rounds in the 60s last week. We’re scraping here but at least it’s something tangible.

Fade

Every week in this column I break somebody out of a funk. At Greenbrier, it was Keegan Bradley. #urwelcome

The column was taken over and thrashed by the kid from Texas last year. Out of respect, I’m not changing the title of it for 2013-14. It will remind me just how good Spieth was in the last three months of the season. This year, we’ll still identify an up-and-coming player and/or rookie that fantasy players should have on their radar.

The Greenbrier: Even though it is his third year on TOUR, Cauley is just 24. No point forgetting about him now as he’s bagged T11 and T4 in two of his last three.

Coming Later TUESDAY Afternoon

Playing the Tips will be up and running this and every Tuesday afternoon and will list all of the Rotoworld experts picks in the GolfChannel.com game, the Yahoo! Fantasy Golf game and my One-and-Done feature. Look for it around 6ET every Tuesday for the rest of the season.

Coming Wednesday

And the analysis doesn't end here. Rotoworld's Rob Bolton and I will be co-hosting a one-hour live chat Wednesday at NOON p.m. ET. We will be breaking down the field at the JDC and answering your questions. Simply return to the golf home page to join in on the chatter.